Expensive Textbooks

Professor McGonagall's words did not dampen everyone's enthusiasm.

Take Ron, for example, who was very excited: "This is enough! Just sense yourself before bed every day, and you won't need a wand. This is so cool!"

He closed his eyes, his hands cupped in the air, as if manipulating something nonexistent.

Professor McGonagall poured cold water on him again.

"Actually, only regions in Europe and America use wands. The spellcasting mediums used in other regions are not all wands. For example, the Wagadu School of Magic in Africa. Their students all use hand gestures for spellcasting. They use their own hands as spellcasting mediums."

"Mr. Weasley, if you really want to get rid of your wand, you might as well order textbooks from the Wagadu School of Magic. They are much more effective and useful than books from the School of Philosophical Thinking."

"Moreover, constantly correcting pronunciation, writing essays, waving a wand, and feeling the rhythm between your own magnetic field and the Earth's magnetic field during spellcasting is itself a form of exercise."

"So, Mr. Granger, instead of rubbing your hands, you should practice spellcasting a few more times."

Fine, you're really not going to let me off the hook, are you?

How did I offend you?

Basil's forehead was covered in dark lines.

Regarding the School of Philosophical Thinking that Professor McGonagall mentioned, Basil actually had a sense of déjà vu, similar to meditation in fantasy novels.

In fantasy novels, it's a method for mages and wizards to train their mental strength.

Some, like the School of Philosophical Thinking, seek power from within.

Others enhance themselves by visualizing powerful artifacts, celestial bodies, and magical creatures.

To be honest, the first time he got Riddle, he specifically asked Riddle about it.

If there were any similar methods.

But the answer was no.

All wizards became stronger by continuously casting spells and learning new, more difficult spells.

Voldemort's self-magical transformation and the creation of Horcruxes to split and purify himself, and Dumbledore's deep immersion in the philosophy of love, were not mainstream.

But it was precisely those two non-mainstream individuals who became Archmages.

This School of Philosophical Thinking was also a non-mainstream part of the wizarding world.

Perhaps...

So, after the other students left the classroom, Basil blocked Professor McGonagall.

"Could you tell me about the School of Philosophical Thinking? I'd like to understand it. To understand why simply gazing inward can grant abilities like instant action, similar to the talents of magical creatures."

Professor McGonagall couldn't help but rub Basil's golden hair. "I can recommend your books. At least you won't fall behind in your studies because of the content."

She waved her wand elegantly.

A piece of parchment and an ink-filled quill flew out of the classroom.

The quill tip danced across the paper, leaving behind elegant handwriting and signatures:

The Universe Within the Human Body, Cast Aside Your Wand, Feel at Ease, Legendary Wizard - Benjamin

Minerva McGonagall

"Books from the School of Philosophical Thinking are all in the Restricted Section. This was a decision made in the 17th century by the then-Headmistress, Dilys Derwent. Because the school was very popular at the time, a large number of students were unwilling to study."

As she spoke, Professor McGonagall adjusted her square-framed glasses, her gaze becoming stern.

"So, Basil, I don't want you sharing these books with your classmates. Especially Mr. Weasley."

Basil nodded repeatedly.

Seeing him nod, Professor McGonagall continued, "The last book among these three is more like an autobiography. Well, similar to Lockhart's books. You'll need to learn to ignore the large sections of self-aggrandizing sentences."

As she handed the parchment to Basil, she hesitated again.

"Basil, you can read the last book carefully, following my guidance."

"You'll need it next semester."

"Need it next semester?" Ron repeated.

After Professor McGonagall and Basil parted ways and returned to the second floor, which was her office, study, and bedroom, Ron, Harry, and Hermione, who had been hiding in Classroom 11, jumped out.

They had overheard the entire conversation.

Professor McGonagall's last sentence made them very curious.

Even Ron, who had been indirectly criticized, couldn't bother complaining.

Looking at the three people whose eyes were full of question marks, Basil shrugged. "I actually happen to know about this, but I've only heard about it. Don't spread it around."

Harry and Hermione immediately stared at Ron.

Ron nodded reluctantly.

Influenced by Basil, he was now very talkative and liked to gossip.

Basil continued, "As you all know, no one can stay in the Defense Against the Dark Arts teaching position for more than a year."

"So, after finding a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, the school will often find new targets a year or even two years in advance."

Hermione shot her hand up (Ron and Harry exchanged a look, their expressions showing disdain); she loved answering questions.

"I know, Gilderoy Lockhart! In fact, I've wanted to buy his books for a long time. They're all bestsellers. But unfortunately, I've already spent most of my Galleons on other things."

"I was planning to buy them next year. Which textbook is it?"

"Which one?" Basil sneered. "All of them. Breaking Up With Female Ghosts, Traveling With Ghouls, Vacationing With Mother Yakshas, Traveling With Trolls, Traveling on a Boat With Vampires, Wandering With Werewolves, and A Year With the Tibetan Yeti. Seven books in total. 5 Galleons each, so 35 Galleons."

"35 Galleons!" Ron gasped, looking as if he might faint.

"Is that very expensive?" Hermione asked, looking confused, as the daughter of a middle-class English dentist.

"Very expensive!" Harry, a true rich second-generation but who had experienced poverty, nodded in agreement.

Ron's face turned red. "Next year, our family will have five children attending Hogwarts. That's 175 Galleons in total!" (Basil interjected: "175 Galleons!") "According to previous years, second-year students only need to buy Standard Spells (Level 2). Even if the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor wants to make some money as usual, they would only designate one book as the new textbook. Lockhart, that scoundrel, is just too—"

Ron sighed.

"Although I know our family isn't actually poor, my parents really don't have the habit of saving. I have no idea how they'll manage to get so much money."

Hermione still didn't quite understand.

She pointed out frankly, "It's normal for textbooks to be expensive. Harry, you attended school in the Muggle world too, right? In fact, if you go to any bookstore, books cost at least dozens of pounds. Renting them is about 10 pounds. For Muggle schools, textbooks are probably around 450 to 600 pounds a year. That's 50 to 120 Galleons a year. Not to mention, if you want to study well, you have to buy extra books."

"In fact, books in the wizarding world are quite cheap. And one book can be used for several years. For example, A History of Magic is used for seven years."

Ron was furious.

He knew he was right but didn't know how to refute it. He just jutted out his neck, looking defiantly at Hermione.

His strained reason kept him from cursing.

Basil stepped forward. "Hermione, why don't you consider the prices of other books in the wizarding world? How do Lockhart's books compare to them?"

"If it's expensive, it's expensive. In fact, if you look at the global perspective, textbooks in the UK and the US are considered outrageously expensive. Students from ordinary families can only get university loans."

"The wizarding world isn't as outrageous as the Muggle world. It's obvious that Gilderoy Lockhart is scamming people. Scamming a lot of money."

"I don't know what Dumbledore is thinking."

Thanks to classmates Qingyou Jingya, Huànmeng Tiansheng, Kuángxiǎo de Xiǎo Zhū Zài Xíngdòng, and Tàishǐ Yùmǐ Xū for their monthly passes and other classmates for their recommendations and continued reading.